USF MBB Takes on Pitt

After a rough loss to Georgetown on Saturday morning, the Bulls are back at home in the Forum as they try to knock off the red-hot Pitt Panthers.

USF, 13-10 (6-4), must find a way to get its offense going in this game if they want to be considered for a postseason tournament (NIT dreams still linger) but the Panthers will prove a tough test. Pitt is 15-9 (4-7) and has won 4-straight conference games after starting the season 0-7.  They are just 3-4 on the road while USF is 11-1 at home this year, so something has to give (game starts at 7PM).

Pitt is led by star senior guard Ashton Gibbs (6-2 190-pounds). The pre-season Big East player of the year is averaging 16.8 points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, and has 16 steals on the season.  His play has improved since the return of junior guard Tray Woodall (5-11 195-pounds).  Woodall is averaging 13.3 points per game (shooting 44% from 3-point range), 3 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game.  Since returning from injury, the Panther offense is finding its stride, not good news for USF.

Senior forward Nasir Robinson (6-5 225-pounds) is averaging 12.1 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game inside the paint. Sophomore forward/guard Lamar Patterson (6-5 221-pounds) is averaging 9.3 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. Junior forward Dante Taylor (6-9 240-pounds) is averaging 6.4 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, and has 19 blocks on the season.

Sophomore forward Talib Zanna (6-9 230-pounds) is averaging 6.2 points per game and 6 rebounds per game (huge presence off the bench).  Sophomore forward J.J. Moore (6-6 205-pounds) is averaging 5.4 points per game and 2.9 rebounds and freshman guard John Johnson (6-1 175-pounds) is averaging 5.1 points per game off the bench.

USF is facing a tough test here.  Pitt is playing their best basketball of the season and USF is coming off of a beat down in Washington.  The Bulls need to come out, hit their shots, and play better at defense if they want to get a big win here.  This is going to be an interesting game to watch.